Chapter 328 Do you think I'm that generous?

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yao Qingling had no idea that Princess Chen would help her when she had only met her a few times.

Moreover, it happened without any warning.

Perhaps this is related to the fact that Prince Chen is not involved with any forces.

Yao Qingling thought that no matter what happened in the future, she would repay Princess Chen.

Princess Chen didn't care much; to her, it was just inviting some people over for fun. She had done so many "easy favors" that she couldn't even remember who she had helped.

She then went to entertain other guests.

Qingling gazed at Princess Chen, her eyes sparkling.

Although Prince Chen and his wife could not be emperor and empress, they had power but were not arrogant. They did small acts of kindness and virtue without expecting anything in return, which may have allowed them to have a long and lasting relationship.

"So you're grateful already?" A sinister voice sounded beside Qing Ling.

Yao Qingling knew it was Prince Xin without even turning around.

Today he wore a white brocade robe embroidered with auspicious patterns, looking like a handsome young man, elegant and noble.

It's rare that she didn't wear bright red and purple like before, which was so lively and eye-catching.

"Lady Yao, I've done you a great favor, haven't I? Why haven't I seen you look at me like that?"

Yao Qingling turned to Prince Xin and said, "Your Highness has been kind to me, but you have also benefited from it. The Princess Consort does not ask for anything in return, which is different."

"If I were to give a meat pie to a hungry child on the road, without asking anything of him, the child would surely be grateful and happy to me."

“But if I ask him to call me mother, he will tell his own mother to send people to beat me.”

"But if I give that child a meat pie every day, his mother will bring the child to recognize me as her godmother."

"Your Highness, don't you think this is quite interesting?"

Prince Xin smiled slightly, waving his fan.

Yao Qingling meant that giving without expecting anything in return evokes gratitude; giving with expectations of return is merely a transaction. And whether a transaction succeeds depends on whether the resources offered are appropriate.

“Interesting,” he said.

He added, "But does Madam Yao know why Prince Chen invited Jin Mantang to organize this banquet?"

Qingling replied, "Hui Bafang is still closed. The princess wants to help me, so she asked Jin Mantang to help me carry the sedan chair."

Prince Xin smiled faintly: "You're only half right. Jin Mantang needs my approval to organize a banquet. As for these so-called number one dancers, number one singers, and number one musicians in the capital... if it weren't for me, how could I have invited them all?"

These skilled women, though of lowly status as courtesans, were extremely proud. The powerful and wealthy had to fight for them to invite them to perform.

Yao Qingling bowed to Prince Xin in gratitude and said, "It's still thanks to Your Highness's influence."

She flattered Prince Xin, appeased him, and made him appear satisfied.

The two had smiles on their faces and chatted idly, creating a harmonious scene.

Zhan Xingzhuo walked over with a somber expression.

He looked as if a dark cloud was hanging over his head, and wherever he went, that dark cloud followed.

Prince Xin curled his lips: "Xingzhuo, is Zhou Zhining still in your backyard?"

Zhan Xingzhu clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Yes."

Prince Xin glanced at Yao Qingling and said, "She is pregnant, which is her good fortune. Otherwise, I would not have spared her."

"Keep a close eye on her. If she escapes and has the opportunity to cause trouble again, I will make you compensate me for my losses!"

Zhan Xingzhuo bowed slightly and remained silent.

He looked extremely frustrated and didn't want to say another word.

Prince Xin seemed to find him unlucky and turned away.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Yao Qingling looked at Zhan Xingzhuo.

He didn't just look like he was under a dark cloud; he seemed to have been drained of all his energy. His face was ashen, his eyes were lifeless, and his lips were dry and chapped.

His appearance was haggard and disheveled compared to these powerful and wealthy people, making him seem out of place. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was about to be demoted and sent away again.

"She's pregnant with your child?"

"Yes..." Zhan Xingzhuo's response was weak and powerless, as if he did not want to face it.

Yao Qingling said, "Why would you come to the banquet looking like this? It makes people speculate unnecessarily."

A glint appeared in Zhan Xingzhuo's eyes: "You care about me?"

Yao Qingling said, "What I should be asking is, given your condition, why do you still want to come out and be seen by others?"

I've come to see you.

Yao Qingling curled her lips in a sneer: "What do I have to show for myself? You are Minister Zhan, with great official power. You can come and go as you please at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence. Who would dare to stop you? Why bother with this meeting at someone else's banquet?"

Zhan Xingzhuo was already used to her barbed words, and he gave a wry smile.

“I heard you came to the banquet, and I was thinking that if anyone uses that painting to gossip about you, I can say a few words on your behalf.”

Yao Qingling chuckled, turned her head away, and said coldly, "You're overthinking it. This is a banquet hosted by the Prince Chen's residence. Even if they don't respect me, they have to keep quiet. They can't say anything."

Zhan Xingzhuo looked at her: "Are you really not bothered by that painting?"

Yao Qingling turned her head, her gaze as sharp as a knife, as if she wanted to cut him into pieces.

Do you think I'm that generous?

Zhan Xingzhuo pursed his lips, his face turning even paler.

He already knew that Prince Xin had fabricated a reason to return the painting to Yao Qingling in order to win her favor and gratitude.

But for Yao Qingling, the damage had already been done, and he was ashamed to face her. These geniuses dared not go to the Marquis's residence to find her.

But he couldn't let go.

“Qingling…”

"Zhan Xingzhuo, she's pregnant." Yao Qingling only said this one sentence.

The man swayed slightly; she didn't need to remind him again and again.

Qingling turned to the side and looked at him coldly: "I'm not reminding you, but saying that what she did, while not heinous, should still be considered unforgivable. Because of you, she always manages to escape any punishment."

"Why should I? Why should you lower yourself? Why should I be expected to let go after just one apology?"

"It was like this before, and it's going to be like this now? Zhan Xingzhuo, who do you think you are?"

“If I were you, I wouldn’t show up again. I’d avoid you the moment I hear or see ‘Yao Qingling.’ I find you disgusting.”

Yao Qingling didn't want to see this person, so after uttering some harsh words, she turned and left.

She didn't want to breathe the same air as him; it made her feel nauseous.

So they didn't see Zhan Xingzhuo vomit blood.

He put the handkerchief away, slumped down, and just stared blankly at Yao Qingling's departing figure.

Yes, why should she forgive him?

Every time he defended Zhou Zhining, he was hurting her.

But Zhou Zhining is pregnant with his child, what can he do?

He has already lost one child and doesn't want to lose another.

"Second Master." Minglu rushed over, his face pale, as if something urgent had happened.

Zhan Xingzhuo leaned back in his chair and stood up: "What's all the fuss about? This is the Prince Chen's residence!"

Minglu was in a hurry, so he tiptoed and whispered a few words in Zhan Xingzhuo's ear: "The Grand Princess of Deyang sent an old nanny to give Miss Zhou a bowl of medicine and told her to drink it."

“Miss Zhou refuses to take her medicine and is threatening to hang herself in the courtyard. Second Master, you should go back and check on her quickly.”

Zhan Xingzhu felt a surge of anxiety and had already stepped outside.

"How did even my mother find out?"

Minglu followed closely behind him: "Can such a big thing be kept secret?"

The Grand Princess had spies in the mansion, and the news spread as soon as it reached the courtyard, and the Grand Princess knew about it almost immediately.